Singaporean President wraps up visit to Vietnam



Ha Noi, Feb. 11 (VNA) -- Singapore's President S.R. Nathan and his wife and entourage left Ho Chi Minh City today, Feb. 11, concluding a five-day official friendship visit to Viet Nam.

While here, President Nathan paid a courtesy visit to General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, held talks with President Tran Duc Luong, and met with Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. The two sides agreed to accelerate Viet Nam-Singapore multifaceted cooperation, particularly economic, commercial, and investment ties, for the benefits of the two countries, and for ASEAN's unity and cooperation.

The Singaporean President and his entourage laid a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and visited the Temple of Literature, the Army Museum and the Fine Arts Museum in Ha Noi.

President Nathan, his wife and entourage visited Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong southern province from Feb. 9-11. The Singaporean delegation was received and feted by Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Chairman Vo Viet Thanh. President Nathan met with representatives of the Singaporean community living and working in Ho Chi Minh City. He visited the Saigon Trade Centre, a lacquer company and some cultural and historical relic sites in Ho Chi Minh City.

President Nathan visited the Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) and the Viet Nam-Singapore Training Centre in Binh Duong province. Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Ho Minh Phuong received and informed President Nathan of the situation of socio-economic development and foreign investment in the province and its administrative reform and infrastructure construction to facilitate the operation of local and foreign businesses.

President Nathan expressed his pleasure at the effectiveness of Singaporean businesses in Binh Duong, stressing the significance of enhancing economic and commercial cooperation in the two countries' friendship and comprehensive cooperation.--VNA